Plate-bending machine



Jan. 21, 1930. P. M. KUEHN 1,744,391

PLATE BENDING MAGHIN E Filed Dec. 18, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.18. 1924 4 Sheets-#Sheet 2 Jan. 21119301 P. M. KU'EHN PLATE BENDINGMACHINE Filed Deo 18. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 a, 1 d w@ ha M O G I y. .l a1 R mm. 1.11 1 I 11 m. uw AWM.. bum. l\\\ 1 *N NNN n 1 1! 1 1 11 1 1 ANm ww. 1 w 1 11111 J N 1 msm 1. 11 m m@ wk N @W1 .www .Q um. (h. 1 l1 1 nn L, J mzm 11 1 am# 1 1l 1 D 1 1. .I 1 1111 i1 11h11 1 -l 1*, .1 v 11111I. 1 H 3. l. u QN. 1 mk E E 1:1 1w 1 1 Ah if., 1 1 1 .o 1 11 1 1 n n @11 @1 ,1 1.111 $5 111.; l 11 1. 1 m 1B Qd w w A@ 1% QA. 1N 1|1\ a m .Q 1-M w 1 1 Il mk D D www PLATE BENDING MACHINE Patented Jan. 21, 1930UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAUL M. KUEHN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND,ASSIGNOR T THE BARTLETT HAY- WARD COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ACORPORATION OF MARYLAND PLATE-BENDING MACHINE Application filed December1S, 1924. Serial No. 756,789.

This invention pertains to plate bending machines and has for its mainobject the production of a machine wherein long and heavy metal platesmay be accurately bent to form with ease and facility.

partly in section;

Fig. 3, a sectional top plan the line of section being denoted byIII-lll of 2;

Fig. 4, an end elevation, partly in section, showing certain details ofthe bed, the plate clamping mechanism and the bending jaw;

Fig. 5, a detail sectional View on the line V-V of Fig. L illustrating aportion of the movable clamping frame;

Fig. 6, a similar view on the line VI-VI of Fig. ll;

Fig. 7, a longitudinal vertical section on the line VII-VII of Fig. lillustrating the adjustable eccentric employed to v arythe effectivespacing between the clamping jaws;

Fig. 8, a perspective view, partly brolen away, of a portion of theoscillating bending j aw or former; and n Fig. 9, a detail perspectiveview of one of the guides for the upper jaw and its cooperating member.

In said figures, l denotes the bed of the machine preferably formed as asingle heavy casting which is mounted upon, secured to,

5 and supported by a series of frame members :l which stand in. spacedrelation to each other hicugliout the length of the machine. Suchiiieiubers are preferably formed as single castings and are providedwith strengthening ribs to ensure stability and rigidity of structure.

Said members extend upwardly from one side of the bed and in thepreferred arrangement their upper ends slightly overhang the same. It isto be understood, however, that such arrangement is not essential to theunderlying principles of the invention. Each member, as will be seen, isprovided or formed with a semi-circular recess deiined by a heavy flangeor rib 8 formed on the body of the member.

The bed l at that edge adjacent the recess is provided with a steelclamping jaw l formed as a bar extending the length of the bed andseated and secured within a recess formed in the beth-such jaw lyingflush with the upper surface of the bed so that a plate to be bent maybe readily pushed along over the bed and projected beyond the jaw over abending' or turning element which will presently be described. Tofacilitate the positioning of the plate the bed will preferably beprovided with a series of rollers 5 let into the upper lsurface thereof.

rlhe plate to be bent is clamped down upon the inner edge of the bed land its aw l by a clamping bar 6 having let into and secured to itslower face at its inner edge a plate 7 preferably formed of hardenedsteel. The outermost edge of said plate and the adjacent face of theclamping bar are inclined slightly from the vertical, (see Figs. l and4:). Said bar is secured to a series of'heavy slides or carriagesdenoted generally by 8, said slides or car 'iages each extendingupwardly adjacent the forward inclined face of the upper portion of itsadjacent frame 2 which at such portion is formed with a flange 9, (seeFig. 6). Hook-shaped cheek plates l0 secured to the upper portion of thecarriage extend around the flange and together with interposed wear orbearing plates il, l2, and 1B hold the carriage to the guide flangewhile permitting the carriage to be raised and lowered, carrying theclamping jaw or bar 6 therewith.

The various slides or carriages 8` are de signed to be raised andlowered as one and means is likewise provided for imparting a clampingaction to the bar. To this end a rocker shaft 14 mounted in bearings 15,one

secured to the upper end of each of the frames 2, is employed. Saidshaft (see Figs. 1 and 3) has secured to it a crank arm 15a which inturn is connected through a pitman 16 to a crank 17 secured to one endof a drive shaft 18. Said shaft has secured to its opposite end a gear19 which meshes with a pinion 20, the latter derivin(T its motionthrough a Worm drive 21 drivenlby an electric motor 22.

Shaft 14 adjacent each of the bearings 15 has secured thereto, a pair ofdownwardly extending arms 23 and 24 in the outer ends of which ismounted a cross bar or shaft 25. The shaft 25 is mounted in the outerend of said arms and pivoted thereon is a pair of links 26 and 27, saidlinks in turn being pivoted to a second shaft 28. Said shaft also haspivotally connected thereto a second pair of links 29 and 30 which linksat their lower ends, are pivotally connected to the carriage 8. Thelinks 26-27 and 29-30 form a toggle through which the final clampingaction between the bed plate and the clamping bar or jaw 6 is effected.In operation 25 the oscillation of the shaft 14 through the drivingmeans heretofore described raises and lowers the carriages or slides 8and the jaw 6 attached thereto. The parts are so proportioned that whena plate is imposed on the 30 table and the jaw 6 lowered thereon, the

toggles will not come to straightened position, and I therefore providemeans tending to straighten the toggles and to thereby force and holdthe jaw 6 down upon the plate. To this end each carriage 10 has securedto it a cylinder 31 and the carriage is cut away or formed With a recess32, (see Figs. 4 and 6) to permit the shaft 28 to be moved laterally. Tothe piston rod working in the cylinder there is secured a cross head 33,and a pair of links 34 and 35 are pivotally connected to the endsthereof, said links extending inwardly toward the carriage and beingattached to the shaft 28. Pipes 36 and 37 are connected into oppositeends ofthe cylinder and serve to control the flow of fluid underpressure into and from the cylinder. When the jaw 6 is lowered upon theplate, it may be forced down thereon and held in such position byimparting an inward movement to the links 34 and 35 which' as will beseen tends to straighten the toggle and to hold it in such position solong as pressure is exerted on the piston tending to move it inwardly.

To effect an adjustmentin the effective length of the. toggles, thelower ends of each pair of links 29 and 30 (see Fig. 7) are pivotallysecured to the slides or carriages 8 through a shaft 38 having squaredends to facilitate its being turned for adjustment in its bearing. Theshaft has keyed to it three eccentric sleeves or bushings 39, 40, and 41which lit snugly within a bore formed transversely of the carriage 8. Byturning the be lcngthened or shortened, the shaft retaining its angularadjustment through friction between the parts.

To assist in raising the slides and the allied parts and thus relievemotor 22, shaft 14 may be provided with suitable counterweighted arms as14", Fig. 1.

To hold the aw G against rearward or retrograde movement, or rearwardspring, I provide each slide or carriage 8 with an outwardly extendingframe produced from an H-shaped channel lJar 42 (see Fig. and two sideplates 43 and 44 bolted to the upper flanges thereof. Said bar and plateare securely fastened to the. slide or carriage and extend outwardlyover the table '1. The lower fianges of the bar 42 will be preferablycut away Lnro.ighout a portion of' their length (see Fig. 1) in order toaccomn'iodate the upturned flange of a plate, as indicated at l), whensuch a plate may be positioned in the machine preparatory to bending orHanging its opposite edge.

rllhe bar or beam 42 at its outer end has secured to it a substantialbearing block adanted to 'co-operate with a retractable abutment shownas plunger' 4G. Said plunger is mounted for reciprocation in a bearingformed in a casting 47, the hearing inclining toward the table at itsupper end. That face of the plunger which stands nent to the bloei: 45beveled so that as the plm `Vvljer is moved upwardly it has the effectof erow'dimr the .frame forwardly thereby ensuring alinement of theforward edges of the bar 4 secured to the table and the bar 7 secured tothe clamping jaw 6. Plunger 1G is piv vally connected at its lower endto a rocker arm 18 secured upon a rocker shaft 49 carried in bearingsformed in the casting 47. Motion is imparted to said shaft from thepiston rod 5() of a power cylinder 51, the rod being connected to theshaft through a rocker arm which will preferably be formed one with oneof the rocker arms 8 Fig. Pipes 53 and 54 connected into the cylinderserve to convey the fluid under pressure to and from opposite ends ofthe cylinder.

Control means, preferablyv located at a central point, will bemanipulated by the operator to effect actuation of the motor cylinder 51as well as the motor cylinders 81.

It will of course be understood that the plungers, or, as they may betermed, abutment members, will be lowered when a plate is beingpositioned and be left lowered until the clamping aw is lowered andforced down upon the plate tl'irough the actuation of the togglemechanism. Then this is accomplished the abutments will be raisedpreparatory to the upward bending of that portion of the plate whichprojects outwardly from between the bed and clan'iping j aw. To ensureal inement of the clamnin elements there shaft the effective length ofthe toggle may is secured to each end of the aw G (sec Figs.

4, 7 and 9), a guide bar 55, the lower end whereof is inclinedforwardly, standing in parallelism with the guides for the carriages orslides 8, said end, when the slides and the j aw 6 are lowered, enteringa correspondingly inclined socket formed in a block 56 secured to thebed of the table.

Extending in front of the inner edge of the table and longitudinallythereof within the semi-circular openings in the frame members 2, is theoscillating bending element. It is preferably of the form best shown inFigs. l and 8, the body whereof is formed as a single casting having twoflat faces 57 and 58 standingat right angles to each other and connectedby a rounded element or face 59; in other words it is quadrant shaped incr sssection. A hardened steel bar 60 is preferably secured upon thatedge of face or apron plate 57 which is adjacent face 58, the bar inthis instance lying slightly above the face 5'?. At its ends the body isflanged and plates 6l are secured thereto. Stub arles or trunnions (32and 63 extend out from the ends and are supported in suitable bearingsformed in columns G4 and 65, Fig. 3.

Secured to the curved or arcuate face 59 of the bending member is aseries of curved racks 66, said racks being arranged in pairs andmeshing with pinions 67 secured to a shaft 68, said shaft beingsupported in bearings 69 formed in the frame members El and in a bearing7() in column till. The racks and pinions are arranged to each sideofthe frame members 2 and the racks bear against and are guided by theribs 3 thus supporting the bending elements which are held up thereby tothe work. Shaft 68 has secured to it a gear 7l which meshes with apinion T2 scoured to a reversible motor shaft 73, which is alsosupported in a bearing in standard 64:.

When a sheet to be bent is positioned, the parts are in the positionshown in Fig. l and the operator will start the motor and thus cause arotation of shaft 68 in a counterclockwise direction. This will causethe bending element to rotate in a clock-wise direction and carry theend of the sheet which overlies its surface` upwardly until the desiredangular bend, or less, is effected. In Fig. l the bending element isshown in dotted lines as having been moved up to its full extent and theplate, the edge whereof had been previously flanged, is bent at rightangles.

After the desired bend is eifected, abutments 46 are lowered, the togglebroken, and the slides or carriages raised thereby carrying the clampingbar away from the plate, fully freeing the same. By having the bar moverearwardly as it moves upwardly it will clear the sheet or thepreviously flanged edge of the up-bent portion thereof.

With a machine constructed in accordance with the showing herein, platesof a length of approximately 30 feet and of a thickness the utilizationof the frames which are some-v what closely spaced, and which prevent orreduce any spring in the clamping member and bending mechanism or apronplate. These frames not only brace the apron plate or bending elementbut also hold the clamping bar or girder 6 against spring owing to thefact that the carriages or slides which are directly secured to thegirder or bar co-act with the frame members so that the structure may besaid to be tied up by the frame members, the bending apron plateimposing a thrust upon the members in a direction opposite to that whichis imposed upon the bar or beam 6.

The length of the machine may of course be varied, it being essentialonly to the production of accurate work that a suiiicient number offrames be employed to prevent the springing action.

By the utilization of the frames closely spaced, the spring in thestructure is reduced to a minimum, and the spring' of the clampingmember and the bending mechanism never exceeds the small amount ofspring which may possibly obtain between the frames which in actualpractice have been spaced four feet ten inches from center to center.

lVhat is claimed is:

l. In a plate bending machine, the combination of a fixed table; aclamping jaw; means for raising and lowering said jaw; means forapplying pressure to the jaw when the same is lowered into clampingposition with reference to the table; means, exerting a wedging actionon the jaw, for preventing retrograde movement of the jaw when in suchposition; an oscillating bending member; and means for actuating thelatter.

2. In a plate bending machine, the combin ation of a table; a clampingjaw adapted to cti-operate with the table te clamp the plate to be bentg means, embodying toggle mechanism to raise and lower said jaw; meansacting to straighten said toggle and to thereby exert a final clampingaction; and means for bending the end of a plate held between the bedand jaw.

3.. In a plate bending machine, the combination of a table; a clampingaw adapted to co-operate with the table to clamp the plate to be bent;means, embodying toggle mechanism to raise and lower said jaw; fluidactuated means acting to straighten said toggle and to thereby exert aiinal clamping action; and means for bending the end of a plate heldbetween the bed and aw.

4. In a plate bending machine, the combi- 4nation of' a table; aclamping jaw adapted to eo-operate with the table to clamp the plate tohe bent; means, embodying toggle mechanism to raise and lower said ]aw;means 'acting to straighten said toggle and to thereby exert a finalclamping action; means for preventing retrograde movement of the jawwhen in such position; and means for bending the end of a plate heldbetween the bed and jaw.

5. In a plate bending machine, the combination ot' a table; a clampingjaw adapted to co-operate with the table to clamp the plate to be bent;means, embodying toggle mechanism to raise and lower said jaw; iuidactuated means acting to straighten said toggle and to thereby exert afinal clamping action; means for preventing retrograde movement of thejaw when in such position; and means for bending the end ot' a plateheld between the hed and jaw.

(i. In a plate bending machine the combination et' a table; a clampingjaw; means for moving the same into clamping.; relation with a plateimposed upon the table; means for bending the sheet so clamped; and aretractable abutment acting at the rear of the jaw for preventingretrograde movement thereof during the bending of the sheet.

7. In a plate bending machine, the combination of a table; a series o'lframes arranged in spaced relation to each other along one side ot' thetable, said frames extending upwardly above the table and overhangingthe same; a clamping jaw adapted to co-operate with the table; a slidemounted upon each frame and secured to the jaw; a shaft extending alongthe upper portion of the trames; means for oscillating the shaft; togglemechanism interposed between said shait and each of the slides; andmeans acting to bend a plate held in position on the table by the jaw.

8. In a plate bending machine, the combination of a table; a series ofJframes ar ranged in spaced relation to each other along one side ot'the table, said frame extending upwardly above the table and overhangingthe same; a clamping jaw adapted to co-operate with the table; a slidemounted upon each frame and secured to the jaw; a shaft extending alongthe upper portion of the frames; means for oscillating the sha't't;toggle mechanism interposed between said shaft and each ot' the slides;means acting to straighten the toggles and to thereby securely clamp theplate; and means acting to bend a plate held in position on the table bythe jaw.

9. In a plate bending machine, the combination ot' a table; a series offrames arranged in spaced relation to each other along one side of thetable, said frames extending` upwardly above the table and overhangingthe same; a clamping jaw adapted to -co-operate with the table; a slidemounted upon each frame and secured to the jaw; a shaft extending alongthe upper portion of the frames; means for oscillating the shaft; togglemechanism interposed between said shaft and each of the slides; a powercylinder carried by each slide; means connecting the piston ot eachcylinder with the adjacent toggle, said means serving to straighten thetoggles and to thereby lirmly clamp the plate; and means acting to benda plate held in position on the table by the jaw.

l0. In a plate bendinfY machine, tl e combination of a table; a tramelocated at one edge oitl the table, said iranic extending upwardly abovethe table and overhanging the same; a slide mounted on the Vtraine; aclamping jaw secured to the slide; means tor raising and lowering theslide; a traine extending i (nitwardly iirom the slide over the table;means acting against said frame to prevent retrograde niovement thereofwhen the plate is being bent; and means 'li'or bending the plate.

il. In a plate bending machine, the combination ot' a table; a series ettrames arranged in spaced relation to each other along one side oi saidtable7 the frames extending upwardly above the table and overhanging thesame; a slide niounted en the upper portion oiE eich trame; a clampingbar sccuret 'to the slides; a shaift carried by the trames at the upperends thereof; means for oscillating the same; toggles connecting eachslide to th; shaft; lluid pressure means acting to straighten the tom la frame secured to each slide, said `frames extending outwardly over thetable; a series oi" movable abntnients carried at the outer end ol thetable, one in alinement with the outer end ot' cach frame; means forraising and lewering said abutments into and out of operative relationwith the frames; and means lor bending` a plate clamped between the bedand clamping bar.

12. In a plate bending machine, the combination of a table; a series oftrames arranged in spaced relation to each other along one side of saidtable, the frames extending upwardly above the table and overhanging thesame; a slide mounted on the upper Lportion of each iframe; a clampinghar secured to the slides; a shaft carried by the frames at the upperends thereo'lf; means for oscillating the same; toggles connecting eachslide to the sha ft; liuid pressure means acting to straighten thetoggles; a 'frame secu red to each slide, said trames extendingoutwardly over the table; a series ot movable abutment-s carried at theouter end of the table, one in alinement with the outer end of eachframe; Huid pressure means for raising and lowering said abutments intoand out of operative relation with the iframes; and means Yfor bending aplate clamped between the bed and clamping bar.

13. In a plate bending machine, the combination oi a lined bed having aclamping edge; a clamping bar co-operating therewith; a series ol trameslocated adjacent the clamping edge oi' the bed; said trames standing inspaced relation to each other; and each frame having a substantially siii-circular recess substantially concentric with 'the clamping edge ofthe bed; clamping means reacting directly against said :trames forholding said clamping bar in engagement with material supported by saidbed; a bendingl member' extending through the space formed by saidrecesses; and means for oscillating said member.

14C. In a plate bending machine; the combination of a bed having aclamping edge; a clamping bar (3o-operating therewith; a series etiframes located acent the clamping edge of the bed, said frames standingin spaced relation to each other; and each frame having a substantiallysemi-circular recess substantially concentric with the clamping edge ofthe bed; clamping means reacting directly against said 'frames forholding said clamping bar in engagement Awith material supported by saidbed; a bending member; having a radial dimension approximating that ofsaid semi-circular r cesses adapted to engage the plate to be bent oversubstantially its entire area; racks secured to the outer face of saidmember adjacent the frames; and gearingI co-operating with the racks tooscillate the same.

l5. In a plate bending machine', the combination of a table; a clampingjaw adapted to co-operate with the table to clamp the plate to be bent;guiding means carried by one of said members and adapted to entercorresponding recesses termed in the other member whereby the jaw isbrought into proper alinement with the table; means for bending theplate clamped between the jaw and the table; and means for preventingretrograde movement of the jaw upon actuation of the bending means.

16. In a plate bending machine, the combination of a table having aclamping edge;

a plurality of frame members arranged in spaced relation along theclamping edge of said table; a clamping jaw adapted to cooperate withthe table to clamp the plate to be bent; means interposed between saidaw and the frames for holding said jaw in proper clamping relation tothe table; bending means, said means bearing against the frames andbeing held up to the work thereby; and means for actuating said bendingmeans.

17. In a plate bending machine, the c0m bination of a lined table havinga clamping edge; a series ol trame members arranged in spaced relationalong the clamping edge of said table; a clamping jaw co-operating withthe table to clamp the plate; means interposed between said jaw and theframes to hold the jaw in place and to prevent springing of the jaw; andbending means.

18. In a plate bending machine; the combination of a table having aclamping edge; a series of trames arranged in spaced relation along theclamping edge thereof, said frames extending upwardly above the table; aclamping jaw; retractable means sustained partly by the jaw and partlyby the trames and when effective reacting between the same to positionand sustain the jaw against spring under stress imposed in the act ofbending a plate; a bending apron mounted for oscillation adjacent theclamping edge of the table, said apron being supported by the frames andbeing held thereby against a springing action; and means for actuatingsaid apron.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

PAUL M. KUEHN.

